Sometimes, the fantasy football gods throw us curveballs. Whether due to injuries, bye weeks, or simply being in a deep league, fantasy managers may have to start unlikely players.
The way to determine when to do so is by considering the matchup and situation. What does the game script look like? Is this player’s skillset best suited for my league’s scoring system? Factors like these can set certain sleepers apart.
With that in mind, find out our top fantasy Sleepers for Week 1, which includes Chris Rodriguez Jr., Elic Ayomanor, and Olamide Zaccheaus. Each of these players is widely available throughout all formats.
All sleepers are rostered in fewer than 25% of Yahoo leagues.
Chris Rodriguez Jr., RB, Washington Commanders (vs. New York Giants)
While most of the fantasy community (including myself) prefers seventh-round rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt as the best bet in the Commanders’ backfield, it’s likely going to take some time for him to emerge in a more prominent role. You’re likely going to see Croskey-Merritt play sparingly in the first game of the season.
Meanwhile, veteran Austin Ekeler was listed as first on the running back depth chart, but he is a 30-year-old who the team needs to keep fresh throughout the season, so expect his touches to be managed. Jeremy McNichols is strictly a special teamer with some snaps on passing downs.
That leaves Rodriguez to take on short-yardage work, especially in the red zone. We saw Rodriguez look good throughout training camp and preseason. This comes after he was efficient in a small sample last year, when he averaged 4.9 yards per carry on 35 attempts.
Chris Rodriguez’s ranks among 91 RBs with 30+ carries last year:
5th in yards after contact per attempt
2nd in @PFF Elusive Rating
7th in PFF rush grade pic.twitter.com/KnZOVcMiue— Jared Smola (@SmolaDS) August 19, 2025
As a strong runner who can thrive between the tackles, Rodriguez is a natural replacement for Brian Robinson. What’s great about this spot is that it sets up perfectly for Rodriguez to have a spike week.
The Commanders are seven-point home favorites against the Giants. That means more opportunities for rushing volume, since teams like to run the ball to control the clock while preserving a lead.
With that in mind, it wouldn’t shock me to see 50 yards and a touchdown from Rodriguez in Week 1. This is one of those players whose value can grow substantially after Week 1.
Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans (at Denver Broncos)
Ayomanor is a fourth-round rookie wideout with a clear path to opportunity while catching passes from fellow rookie quarterback Cam Ward.
Reports out of training camp and preseason were positive for Ayomanor, which is why it’s so intriguing to see him immediately listed as No. 2 on the wide receiver depth chart, ahead of veterans Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson.
This makes me hopeful that Ayomanor will see an immediate role in this offense. The Titans desperately need pass-catchers, especially to help out their rookie quarterback as he adapts to the NFL.
It’s the kind of fantasy profile that you like to bet on, as Ayomanor was a volume target earner throughout college, including 60+ catches in each of his two seasons at Stanford.
Even though this is a tough matchup on paper against the Denver Broncos, we could see them focus their attention on No. 1 receiver Calvin Ridley, opening up some opportunities for the rookie.
It wouldn’t shock me to see Ward check it down underneath to Ayomanor as they try to sustain drives, resulting in a five-catch, 55-yard type of day. That projection is worth a look as a sleeper play in deep, full-PPR formats.
Olamide Zaccheaus, WR, Chicago Bears (vs. Minnesota Vikings)
Zaccheaus is literally 0% rostered in Yahoo leagues at the time of this article, so you’re probably wondering why I’d include him here. After all, this is a journeyman veteran in a crowded receiver room that includes DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and rookie Luther Burden III.
However, Zaccheaus has had a strong camp and is already ahead of Burden on the depth chart. While the rookie is a talented wideout, it’s likely going to take some time before he plays a role in this Bears offense.
There’s a legitimate chance that Zaccheaus could be the primary slot receiver for the early part of the season, which has proven to be a lucrative role in Ben Johnson’s offense, as seen with Amon-Ra St. Brown.
Obviously, Zaccheaus is nowhere near St. Brown’s level. But he showed the ability to put up spike weeks in a good situation with the Commanders last season. This included eight catches for 85 yards and a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons and five catches for 70 yards and two scores versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
With Caleb Williams expected to be under duress against a tough Brian Flores-led Vikings defense, we could see him look underneath to Zaccheaus, who can act as his safety valve.
That gives Zaccheaus a chance to put up a six-catch, 52-yard type of line, which is still usable in full-PPR formats in deeper leagues.
